I'm building a core I7 920 system, but have only built one other system back in 2004 and need some help with some questions about current stuff.
I'll apologize for asking what are probably basic questions for all of you guys. Back in 04 I didn't post any question. I just did hours and hours of research and figured out all of the issues myself. However, I'm now in medical school and simply don't have the time outside of the hospital and studying to do all of the needed research.
Anyways, I'm building a system hoping to spend 1500 max. I don't play computer games all that much (mostly console), but I do occasional computer games and want my pc to be able to do this (1900X1200 resolution is what I'd like). I want good multimedia capabilities.
Questions
1. What's the best I7 motherboard? (I do plan on overclocking)
I've been looking at the Asus P6T deluxe and the EVGA x58 one.
The Asus was reviewed well on this site. EVGA was reviewed the best on newegg, but I haven't seen a review on this site yet.
I plan on having only 1 graphics card and not bothering around with multiple graphics cards in crossfire or SLI configuration (I think those two are where you have multiple graphics cards, I'm not sure though...) I mention this because I've read that some motherboards have connections blocked off when multiple graphics cards are in use, which won't be an issue with me.
2. What's with this multiplier stuff on the memory? What PC#### should I get? How do I make sure I'm under 1.65 V limit for the core I7?
As far as I know, multiplier deals with overclocking. I'm planning on DDR3 1333 ram. I think I read that 1600 will go over 1.65 V. Although I have no idea how to figure out what type of system will be over 1.65 V.
3. Is it ok to use a 32 bit system like Win XP with 6 GB of ram until Windows 7 comes out?
I know 32 bit has RAM limits, but I would think there's no harm in putting in more than this limit in anticipaton of Windows 7 since the computer just won't recognize it. Or is there some harm with putting more ram in the computer than the system can recognize?
Or should I/do I have to get Windows Vista 64 bit now?
4. How much memory if I want to go Windows 7? How should the memory be divided?
I'm thinking 6 GB. Originally, I remember it being better to divide memory into even numbers (ie 2 GB of ram is better in 2 1GB sticks than 1 2GB stick). However, with the x58/core i7 systems, isn't 3 sticks better (ie 3 2GB sticks is better than 2 3GB sticks)?
Any help would be appreciated. I want to get these questions answered. I'm then going to put together a system and post it an see what people think.
Any other tips about anything else would be great too.
Thanks.
I'll apologize for asking what are probably basic questions for all of you guys. Back in 04 I didn't post any question. I just did hours and hours of research and figured out all of the issues myself. However, I'm now in medical school and simply don't have the time outside of the hospital and studying to do all of the needed research.
Anyways, I'm building a system hoping to spend 1500 max. I don't play computer games all that much (mostly console), but I do occasional computer games and want my pc to be able to do this (1900X1200 resolution is what I'd like). I want good multimedia capabilities.
Questions
1. What's the best I7 motherboard? (I do plan on overclocking)
I've been looking at the Asus P6T deluxe and the EVGA x58 one.
The Asus was reviewed well on this site. EVGA was reviewed the best on newegg, but I haven't seen a review on this site yet.
I plan on having only 1 graphics card and not bothering around with multiple graphics cards in crossfire or SLI configuration (I think those two are where you have multiple graphics cards, I'm not sure though...) I mention this because I've read that some motherboards have connections blocked off when multiple graphics cards are in use, which won't be an issue with me.
2. What's with this multiplier stuff on the memory? What PC#### should I get? How do I make sure I'm under 1.65 V limit for the core I7?
As far as I know, multiplier deals with overclocking. I'm planning on DDR3 1333 ram. I think I read that 1600 will go over 1.65 V. Although I have no idea how to figure out what type of system will be over 1.65 V.
3. Is it ok to use a 32 bit system like Win XP with 6 GB of ram until Windows 7 comes out?
I know 32 bit has RAM limits, but I would think there's no harm in putting in more than this limit in anticipaton of Windows 7 since the computer just won't recognize it. Or is there some harm with putting more ram in the computer than the system can recognize?
Or should I/do I have to get Windows Vista 64 bit now?
4. How much memory if I want to go Windows 7? How should the memory be divided?
I'm thinking 6 GB. Originally, I remember it being better to divide memory into even numbers (ie 2 GB of ram is better in 2 1GB sticks than 1 2GB stick). However, with the x58/core i7 systems, isn't 3 sticks better (ie 3 2GB sticks is better than 2 3GB sticks)?
Any help would be appreciated. I want to get these questions answered. I'm then going to put together a system and post it an see what people think.
Any other tips about anything else would be great too.
Thanks.